Christmas is the best occasion to explore traditional recipes and delicious foods with your family. Whether it be Christmas cookies or pies, there are many awesome recipes that various cultures celebrate with their families every holiday season. One holiday recipe that transcends across the world is Christmas cake and pudding. The history of these dishes is commonly seen within India and English traditions. Throughout time, families from various backgrounds come together while enjoying their unique version of this monumental tradition every Christmas season.
The History Of Christmas Cake
Writer, Sharmishta Chaudhuri, shares the history of the Christmas cake in her work “The Inimitable Spirit of Kolkata Christmas.” She writes in the Goya journal; about how this cake has evolved through many generations in history. Specifically in India. A British cinnamon trader, Murdoch Brown, and a baker from India, Mambally Bapu, came together in 1883 to craft a unique version of this historic recipe.
In a nutshell, Brown was visiting from England and wanted Bapu to taste the Christmas cake he brought from his homeland. Bapu was put to the test to replicate this Christmas cake and discovered an array of Indian flavors to add to this delicious treat. The legend says this interaction is the origin of the Indian Christmas cake. Today, families from across the world share this story while keeping this recipe alive.
Christmas Cake Or Pudding?
Although the two dishes have a similar taste, there is a difference in how to prepare each holiday dish. Overall, the main ingredients are the same. Flour, alcohol, nuts, spices, butter, and fruit. However, the baking processes for the two are different.
Traditionally, this Christmas cake is baked in the oven while the pudding or “porridge” is steamed in a bowl, both having different textures. Whether it be a cake or a hot bowl of pudding, both versions of this dish can be a heartwarming recipe to add to any family gathering.
Recipe: Rich Plum Cake
There is no wrong or right way to prepare this dish! Writer, Rose Scaria, shares a recipe in her piece” The Origin of the Great Indian Christmas Cake.” “ As my knowledge of the wider world grew, I realized, to my delight, there are different assortments of the Christmas cakes in India.” Create your own version of this dish; we hope you enjoy it!
Ingredients :
- 340 g butter
- 225 g sugar
- 340 g currants
- 340 g raisins
- 170 g mixed candied peel, finely chopped 25 g almonds, blanched and pounded
- 1 tbsp cinnamon, finely pounded and sifted 1/2 tbsp nutmeg, finely grated
- 1/2 tbsp cloves, finely pounded and sifted 400 g finely-sifted flour
- 6 egg yolks
- 6 egg whites beaten to a stiff consistency One wineglass of brandy
- Grated rind 1 lemon
- Strained juice of 1 lemon
Method :
- Beat the butter to a cream and put it into a basin with other ingredients, except the egg whites, in the order, they are given.
- Beat the mixture until it is well combined.
- Add the egg whites and continue to beat rapidly.
- Pour the batter into a lined cake tin and bake for 40 minutes in a preheated oven.